With June done, we’re basically halfway through 2025, hitting our summertime stride with plenty of hot outdoor activities, but keeping it cool with indoor fun stuff as well. As our Independence Day falls on a Friday, it’s an extended weekend for many and that means more music made and more time to go experience said music. Without further ado, let’s go searching for things to do.
Thursdays are still cooking, so let’s take a peek at what’s on the burner. Our first stop is a really hip show with Maggie Baugh, who you may know if you’re one of the 40 million viewers (across all social media platforms) from her Tik Tok series “Finish the Lick,” or perhaps you’ve heard her debut album, Dear Me, with its substantial success on iTunes and Spotify. Well, I’ve not been privy to any of that until I looked Maggie up, but let’s just say she’s hotter than a firecracker on the Fourth of July right now, and just so happens to be playing on the July 3 with Devin C. Williams for a night of exceptionally good music in the cool outdoor space at the Blue Grouch. Tickets are available on Eventbrite and there’s a special VIP private acoustic show, photo op, Q&A and merch discount at 6 p.m. with the popular Ms. Baugh, if you’re interested.
More Thursday happenings include the Levitt AMP concert downtown with locally-based, touring bluesman Brandon Santini opening for traveling blues-rock guy Parker Barrow, Satellite rocking it at the Curve Inn and Stumpy Joe and Levi Herman taking it to the patio at Casey’s Pub, to name a few.
Friday is the Fourth with plenty of celebrations, and wouldn’t you know it, most of them involve live music. One of my favorites has to be Clara Irwin’s Strawberry Party at the Elijah Iles House in the afternoon. It also includes one of my favorite singing, songwriting guitar players, Mark Mathewson, joined by a heap of his friends jamming on bluegrass and old-time music to make cousin Clara’s shindig a dandy success.
For more old-timey stylings, catch Peaches and Bacon on fiddle and banjo at Union Park for the weekly noontime Artist in the Park show. If you’re craving fireworks at dusk after your live music, check out Kapital Sound on the Tradewinds outdoor stage at Knight’s Action Park, Brandy Kristin Trio in the Chatham Community Park for the Jaycee’s Freedom Fest and Sushi Roll at the annual Rock the Dock party at the Lake Springfield Marina.
Heading into Saturday, we’ve got a mighty fine selection of doings to go do including a wild and crazy, ticketed show of Faster Pussycat and the Supersuckers at The Stadium on Peoria Road. Then, Bernet, Rolens, Minder and Cellini roll into Sky Lounge, Vibe.N.Rant funk it up at Buzz Bomb, the Meerkats drive it home at Locals in Pawnee and Pimpin’ Henry and Square of the Roots go original together at the Blue Grouch.
Sunday delivers us a fine collection of offerings to peruse. Let’s start with a good cause at the Chatham Community Park with the Chatham Strong Fest set to benefit those involved in the Y-Not building April 28 accident, featuring live music (1-9 p.m.) with Dave Littrell, Brandy Kristin Band, Neon Rodeo, Satellite, Groove Syndicate and Rubber Biscuit. Plus, southern Illinois singer-songwriter Tim Crosby drops in to sing and play at It’s All About Wine (3-6 p.m.) while Folsom Prison Five escapes to Hill Prairie Winery near Oakford for an Independence Celebration.
Enjoy your Independence Day and ensuing weekend, my friends.